Literary Devices in "Two Kinds"
Lisa Kennedy, August 20, 2012
Setting
This short story is set in San Francisco, California's Chinatown, which is one of the largest Chinese communities.
Characters
Jing-mei and her mother battle with each other throughout the story. Her mother, a Chinese immigrant, wants her American born daughter to become a prodigy.
Theme
One theme found in "Two Kinds" is that family relationships can be difficult. For example, Jing -mei embarrasses herself at the talent show and her mother accuses her of disobedience. This reveals that Jing-mei feels pressured by her mother to be something that she is not. She feels as though she lives under the constant scrutiny of her mother, which makes their relationship very difficult. As Jing-mei grows older she starts to understand these difficult times more appreciates them.